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We can’t afford to let others rock our ‘sampan’

I refer to the report “Complacent and dangerous if racial, religious harmony taken for granted: PM” (Oct 5). If Singapore becomes a failed state, nobody would pay attention to us. We attract attention because we have succeeded against the odds.

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Lee Hong Leong

I refer to the report “Complacent and dangerous if racial, religious harmony taken for granted: PM” (Oct 5). If Singapore becomes a failed state, nobody would pay attention to us. We attract attention because we have succeeded against the odds.

Many admire us and want to learn from us. For whatever reasons, some want us to fail.

If we allow the latter to seduce us into thinking we should have the same kind of freedom of speech enjoyed in the United States or even Malaysia because we are a First World country now, we would be regretfully deceived.

The US is an aircraft carrier. Malaysia is a frigate. When some people on these ships start jumping up and down, the others can ignore them or even enjoy their antics.

Singapore is a sampan. If someone starts jumping up and down, what should the rest of us do?

We must know the type of dwelling we live in: Ours is a beautiful, tiny glass house; the US and Malaysia are concrete palaces, where their people can afford to throw stones. Can we throw stones in our house?

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